The thick fabric perfectly hid the bruised puncture wound on her arm. She took a de

llway. She deliberately stomped her heels slightly, making

fa. He held a heavy, square bottle of high-proof bourbon in his hand. No glass.

coiled tight beneath his ruined shirt. In the dim, ambient light of the livi

mit of a safe distance. She twisted the hem of her silk top around her

lass base down onto the solid marble coffee tab

. His dark eyes dragged o

oward his chin, then quickly looked at the floor, acting as if looking

play of disgust was the sp

laugh. The sound was like sa

e?" he sneered, his voice thick with alcoho

y timed, spilled over her lashes and hit the expe

into the tone of an unreasonable, terrified girl.

exp

tly blocked out the overhead lights, casting a hug

ed against the floor. Ashlyn stumbled backward in perfectly choreographed panic, r

nowhere

around her jaw like a steel vice. He forced her head up,

felt like her jaw was going to snap. She gasped

f cheap bourbon, dried blood, and raw fury blasted against her no

cid, "is what kept me alive on the streets. It's what pays the mass

na's medical bills and to secure his place in the syndicate. But she coul

hands slapped wildly at his rock-hard forea

her voice echoing off the

grip, and screamed the line she had

ract! I never want to see y

living room i

cted so fast it looked painful. He stared at he

or a second before his fingers curled inward, forming a fist so tight t

throbbing, red jaw. She took a ragged bre

t," she cried, shrinking against the pillar.

cape him. The last shred of human warmth in his eyes completely e

ctical boot and kicked the solid marbl

le smashed into pieces. Amber liquid and

her knees, covering her ears with her hands, curling

ckage. He looked down a

nted a single, shaking fi

o longer a roar. It was a terrifyin

slipping on the rug. She didn't grab a coat. She didn't grab a bag. S

to the dark hallway, leaving Alex standi